Lavin to be nominated to county board

Patrick Stout, Voice Correspondent

Wednesday

Jul 11, 2018 at 9:59 AM

MACOMB — McDonough County Board Chairman Scott Schwerer announced Tuesday his intention to nominate Ed Lavin to fill a board vacancy. Schwerer told members of the board's building and grounds committee that he intends to seek concurrence with his nomination at the July 18 county board meeting.Lavin is a former Macomb alderman and was a candidate for mayor in 2011. He would fill the vacancy created when Jennie Hemingway turned in her resignation from the county board in preparation for moving to Jacksonville.In other business, Schwerer told the committee that exterior work on the Zahren Building downtown has been suspended until Ameren can relocate a utility pole.Tina Cox, administrator of The Elms nursing and rehabilitation facility, reported that the state of Illinois is two months behind in Medicaid reimbursements and owes The Elms $303,217.Cox said care for 35 of the facility's 83 residents is covered through Medicaid. She said nine residents are covered by federal Medicare and 35 have private-pay arrangements while four residents are in hospice care.The administrator said training would begin on the Abacus survey program so satisfaction levels of residents and their families can be measured. "The Elms has always had a quality assurance program," Cox said, "but now such programs will be required."Cox used a computer display to show the committee an online listing about The Elms that will be distributed through Springfield Memorial Hospital. She noted that The Elms is once again participating in the Health Alliance Network.A trivia night will be held August 4 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Macomb American Legion, and Cox said proceeds would be shared by the Elms and by the McDonough District Hospital hospice program.County Maintenance Director Allen Sheffler reported that air conditioner maintenance is underway. He said there are no cost estimates yet on completion of computerized environmental controls for the courthouse and the county jail.County Clerk Gretchen DeJaynes said a password is being developed to activate switches for the new courthouse telephone system. She also reported that a portrait of Abraham Lincoln has been delivered from the Illinois Historical Society, and that it will be hung on the second floor of the McDonough County Courthouse."Several judges plan to attend the unveiling at the end of this month," DeJaynes said.